STEM degrees are still top-paying fields of study
Engineering Staffing Report
STEM degrees are still top-paying fields of study
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Petroleum engineering ranks as the highest-paying bachelor’s degree based on midcareer salary potential of $212,100, according to the 2024 College Salary Report by Payscale. Instrumentation technology paid the most for those with a two-year associate degree at $116,300.
Here’s Payscale’s list of highest-paying bachelor’s degrees at midcareer:
- Petroleum engineering, $212,100
- Operations research and industrial engineering, $202,600
- Electrical engineering and computer science, $192,300
- Interaction design, $178,800
- Building science: $172,400
The highest-paying associate degrees at midcareer are:
- Instrumentation technology, $116,300
- Software engineering, $112,400
- Radiation therapy, $109,500
- Fire technology, $102,500
- Instrumentation and control engineering, $101,900
“There’s no doubt that higher education is unaffordable, and employers are increasingly valuing alternative ways to gain skills, but the fact remains that a college degree significantly impacts earning power,” Amy Stewart, principal, research and insights at Payscale, said in a press release. “Our research shows that college graduates earn 37% more than those with only a high school diploma.”
Ivy League and technical schools delivered some of the highest pay for four-year grads, according to Payscale. Some of the top schools were:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, $196,900
- Princeton University, $194,100
- United States Naval Academy, $187,800
- Harvey Mudd College, $185,900
- Babson College, $181,400
Nursing schools were among two-year institutions providing the highest pay at midcareer for grads:
- Helene Fuld College of Nursing, $108,400
- Laboure College, $103,200
- Pacific Union College, $100,900
- New York University, $98,100
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, $97,700